The apprentice hoops returned to scale victorious in six of the eight races at Belmont today, while Ben Paterson extended his lead in the apprentice jockey premiership race with a tremendous treble.
Only half a win separated Paterson and main rival Chris Parnham at the start of today’s card, and it was Parnham who would be first to strike.
Aboard the raging favourite Celebrity Miss ($1.75 fav) in the twitter.com/rwwa-thor HCP 1200m, Parnham shook off the early leader Maamaa ($9.00) at the top of the straight, before holding the fast finishing Accrual ($8.00) to salute by a comfortable 1 ¼ lengths.
Paterson wasted no time in responding, successful in the very next race – the Michael Pateman Memorial HCP 1200m – when sitting Danablue ($5.00) outside the early leader War Prince ($14.00) before powering to the lead at the 300m mark and cruising to the line for a 2 ½ length victory.
A memorable day in the saddle continued for Paterson in the tabtouch.mobi HCP 2200m, when he successfully piloted Master Robson ($9.00) from tenth on the turn for a narrow short half head win, before claiming the ultimate prize – the listed Belmont Classic 2200m aboard Summah’s Touch ($3.00).
Apprentices Alex Hearn and Aaron Mitchell were not going to be left of out the celebrations – Hearn claiming the opener with Spin Da Wheels ($7.50) in the Westspeed Nursery HCP 1000m for the 2 year olds, and Mitchell securing a last stride short head win aboard Dash For Home ($7.00) in the Crown Perth Sprint 1200m.
In other races, hoop Paul King landed the upset of the day when Media Alert ($81.00) broke a 770 day losing streak to salute by a long neck in the twitter.com/perthracing HCP 1650m, while Peter Knuckey was successful in the saddle with Platinum Rocker ($3.60 fav) for trainer Simon Miller in the Willoughby HCP 1400m – a length the winning margin.
The Hoops / Trainers
Ben Paterson extended his lead in the Metropolitan Apprentice Premiership Award with a riding treble, while the trainers shared the spoils.
The Tipsters
Leading bookmaker Don Martin was on fire with his picks – finding Celebrity Miss ($1.75 fav), Master Robson ($9.00), Dash For Home ($7.00), and Summah’s Touch ($3.00) amongst his selections.
Blackie found three winners – Spin Da Wheels ($7.50), best bet Celebrity Miss ($1.75 fav), and Platinum Rocker ($3.60 fav) – but hinged heavily on Northpace ($2.25 fav) that spoilt an otherwise successful day on the punt.
On the east coast, Shane had another blinder – this time on the slow Flemington and Rosehill tracks. Amongst his winners were Clanga’s Glory ($6.00) and Danish Whiskey ($10.00) in Melbourne, together with Berrimilla ($9.00) in Sydney. Shane saved his best for the last at Rosehill – spruiking the first four (quartet) that paid a massive $5104 – how sweet it is…
The Black Book
There is no doubt King Closet will find the line soon, following another credible second in the opener, while the run of Resetgold behind Dash For Home showed the Reset mare was back to its best and worthy of consideration in its next assignment.
Chris Blackwell